“Underparenting” is challenging helicopter parenting by giving kids space to fail—on purpose. Young parents are rejecting the watchful culture they grew up with, but also finding “gentle” isn’t for every situation. This trending parenting strategy focuses on letting children explore, get bored, and solve problems independently while still providing emotional support when needed—and if that sounds like “free range” parenting, it’s a rebrand. A clinical psychologist explains it’s about allowing a child to show their parents what they need rather than having every moment controlled. And where gentle parenting focuses on validating feelings and setting boundaries through communication, underparenting embraces natural consequences as the teacher. (Much like “FAFO” parenting which trended on social media in July.) Underparenting offers a framework for them to step back without guilt—teaching kids resilience while easing the pressure to entertain constantly. (Parents)
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